Former Arsenal and France striker Thierry Henry has defended his conduct as co-host of the 2026 Ballon d’Or ceremony after facing criticism over jokes directed at Barcelona forward Lamine Yamal and presenter Kate Scott, insisting he did not intend to disrespect either of them.
Henry addressed the backlash in a video posted on social media on Tuesday, October 27, a day after the ceremony at London’s Palladium Theatre, where Bayern Munich and England striker Harry Kane won the men’s Ballon d’Or.
The 49-year-old faced criticism over two exchanges during the event, including a remark to Yamal after the Barcelona teenager collected the Kopa Trophy for the best young player for the third consecutive year.
Henry asked Yamal whether the award was the one he had really wanted, a question that some viewers interpreted as a dig at the youngster for missing out on the main prize.
Yamal had been among the contenders for the men’s Ballon d’Or but finished third behind runner-up Kylian Mbappe and eventual winner Kane.
Henry rejected suggestions that he was attempting to challenge Yamal’s ego or diminish his achievement, explaining that he was referring to the main award, which was still to be announced.
“I’m a big fan of Lamine Yamal. I wasn’t checking his ego at all,” Henry said, acknowledging that viewers were entitled not to find the joke amusing.
The former France international described Yamal as one of the players he would pay to watch, adding that he admired the teenager’s ability and had no intention of undermining him.
The second controversy involved Henry’s exchange with Scott during the presentation of the Socrates Award, which recognises footballers’ humanitarian work and was awarded to Arsenal forward Bukayo Saka.
Scott pronounced the late Brazilian football legend Sócrates’ name differently from the pronunciation Henry subsequently supplied. His correction prompted criticism from viewers who considered the exchange disrespectful towards his co-host.
Henry, however, maintained that the moment had been rehearsed and that Scott deliberately mispronounced the name to set up the joke.
“Please stop saying I disrespected Kate. I will never do that,” he said, insisting that his co-presenter had been in on the joke.
The former Arsenal captain also addressed criticism over his support for Mbappe in the race for the main award, explaining that his preference reflected his loyalty to his fellow Frenchman rather than a lack of respect for Kane.
Henry said he had congratulated the Bayern Munich striker and regarded him as a deserving winner, praising his dedication and work ethic, describing Kane as an example of how hard work can be a talent in itself.
“You are a worthy winner. You deserve it,” Henry said, recalling his message to Kane after the award was announced.
Kane’s victory was a major milestone for English football, making him the first Englishman to win the men’s Ballon d’Or since Michael Owen in 2001.
Henry concluded his response by urging critics to relax, reiterating his admiration for Kane and Yamal and denying that he had intended to offend Scott.
His clarification came as debate over the ceremony’s on-stage exchanges continued on social media, shifting attention from the award winners to the conduct of the presenters.
